Customer Ratings & Reviews

good camera i like the capability of being able to take pictures while taking a video

So far I have been enjoying the video I have taken using this camcorder. Picture quality, color, and sharpness are great.

This camera does a great job. The video quality is very good and allows you different quality settings. It also has a 32gb hard drive and two memory card slots.

After tons of research I weeded through many camcorders to find the one just right for me. While the G20 is not as advanced as the G30 it works better for what I needed. It has 32GB of built in memory so you don't even have to have an extra memory card. However, I do suggest at least 2 extra class 10 memory cards at least 32GB each. This camera is supposed to accept all SDHC and SDXC cards. I wanted something with very high quality video, and this camera delivers video much better than what I need at the highest setting. I choose to use the second highest quality setting which still gives me perfect results every time, and allows me to record twice as much video. You can setup the camera, each time you power it on, to do what is called relay recording as well. This allows you to continue your recording onto the next memory card if the one you are using, or the internal memory, fills up while you are filming. I create art videos, and sometimes work 8 hours straight. This feature allows me to do that easily. This camera comes with a lens hood, and remote. The remote makes everything so much easier. I will never use another camcorder without a remote after using this one. If you do video blogs the remote is invaluable. The lens hood is great for extended use where you don't want to put the camera up, but don't want the lens to get dirty. Also, the lens hood keeps the camera from receiving too much light, and overexposing, in most situations. Speaking of lighting, this camera has excellent automatic light compensation. However, I wouldn't use the manual low light, because that does cause it to look pretty bad. Unless you just need to do something special on manual mode I would honestly set this camera to automatic. the only thing I ever change to manual anymore is focus, and that's so it doesn't follow my hand instead of my artwork. This camera also takes still photos that work excellent for quick snapshots. It shouldn't be used to replace a photo camera though. I mainly take work in progress photos, and thumbnail photos with this camera. Transferring files is the one area I dislike about this camera. To transfer your files to the computer you have several options. You can attach the power cable to your camera, and then the usb cable to your computer. You can also put a memory card in slot B, and copy your videos to it. If you plan to shoot videos longer than 16 minutes installing the bundled software is a must. All of the videos are split based on file size, and if you lay them end to end in an editor you get a "clip" or pop in the audio. However, if you tell the software to import all videos it will nicely combine them. The one big downside to this is that it copies all of the video clips, and the combined long video to your computer taking up double the space. Video files made with this camera can be quite large so I absolutely recommend getting extra storage drives for your video files. Overall I am extremely pleased with this camera, and don't see myself wanting or needing a different one at all.

great zoom, clear image, easy to use, lots of usable options within the camera, takes good pics and video even in low light, sharp voice recordings

I was a little skeptical when trying to decide whether this would be my next camera due to the price. I've had a Canon G 12 for a few years that has served me nicely. However, if I tried to utilize it for video and needed to zoom; it blurs...poor quality. The G 20 has virtually any thing that I want and need; as well as the automatic or manual modes. The built in memory is plenty for me, but it also has 2 slots for additional memory cards. My only warning would be to try to get more than the basic battery pack...they tend to discharge after a little more than an hour of videoing.

My husband and I spent a lot of time researching what would be a good camera for us- one that would allow us to take video of our upcoming child and various events going on in our lives. We decided on this one because of the many features that were amazing for us- two SD card slots, the optical zoom function, the amount of internal storage, the ability to use a viewfinder or the screen to see what you are filming, and that if necessary we could take good quality photos with the camera- though sub-par to a quality still camera still better than not having one on you. We found it pretty easy to use the basic functions of the camera- no problems recording right away without reading instructions/manuals going beyond that takes a little practice or study of your manual. The screen is clear and crisp and the weight of the camera is nice- not so light that it feels cheap but not heavy at all. The one major gripe is that the touch screen is a little difficult to use- I don't know if it is the lighting in our house or just the screen itself but it is not very responsive- especially if you are trying to use your fingers and not the included pen- it is a little easier/better with the pen. Overall it is a great camcorder so far- though we have not gotten to use it too much as the baby is not here yet and no other major events in our lives or those of our family for another couple months. We look forward to using it more and consistently in the years to come.

I purchased this camera mainly to record my grandsons football games. It has great detail and vivid colors. The remote for pause and zoom is awesome. I share the recorded games with the coaching staff with the sd card and download it to my pc for myself.I did buy an extra battery for backup recording.I am having fun with it and will use it for basketball games and other events.

This is the second Vixia I've purchased. It works even better in low light situations. The audio is crystal clear and can be modified. The only thing I don't like is that there is not a thumb button to navigate through the menus. navigation is all screen touch. Not real bad but with fat fingers and or very dry it is a bit difficult to use. The menus are clear easy to follow. Great camera.

I bought the Canon Vixia HFG20 because my Nikon D5100 doesn't focus fast or good enough for me. I like taking videos as well as stills. I chose this camera mainly because of the viewfinder eye piece, great for when its a bright day out. The swing out and reversible side monitor with touch screen works great and easy to use menus. The only issue I have with the camera is a long process the connect to a computer. But with two(2) SD card slots, I just use a 32GB Sd card in slot A, with a 16GB backup SD card in slot B. I set the camera to record to the SD cards first. I can record four(4) hours with the 32GB card and find that's plenty of time. I then just insert the SD card into my computer and transfer the files over. I also love that if you want to be ready for quick recording, you can leave the power on, close both the monitor and viewfinder and the camera will go into a standby mode, just swing out the monitor or slide out the eye piece and its ready to record. There's also a setting to record the previous three(3) seconds prior the pushing the record button. This is helpful if your waiting for something to happen. Overall this is a great camera. I took it to Maui for a week and it ran great and I got some great video. I can't wait for my next vacation.

I love this camera!!!!!! It's very compact easy to use. The lens is so clear and after recording when u watch in side screen everything looks so crisp and clear. Also my hand isn't steady and when i watch what i've recorded it doesn't make me sea sick lol. i would highly recommend this camera to anyone, especially first time camcorder buyers .

Purchased camera before going on safaris in Tanzania couple of weeks ago. Needed zoom, instant on, and battery life. Added a 64gb sd, still has another slot for another sd... but I took over 6 hours of video and still had over 4 hrs left using hd quality. Camera was excellent but now its going to take lots of time to edit all of the videos! Good zoom and the instant on feature by simply pulling out the view lens was great for filming exotic animals at long distances.

I purchased this camera to use in surveillance efforts as a private investigator. It has ample storage with the built in hard drive and two SD card slots which hold up to 32 gig cards. It has a 200 X digital zoom. and a manual focus ring which is very important when manual focus is necessary without opening the side screen and lighting up your face at night. The option of using the view finder at night is a real plus because many cameras don't offer an alternative to viewing through the main screen. The low light capabilities are astonishing and can be controlled from the rear of the camera with the screen closed. It is easy to off load video onto the computer but does not transfer date and time with the USB cable connection. This is a bit of a downside because date and time is rather important for my application. The choices around this are to off load with RC connections and settle for lower quality or to off load through a device such as the hauppauge or similar device which allows the video to be transferred from the camera through the HDMI cable. This keeps the date and time stamp and gives incredible picture quality. This camera is light weight which is a plus but does take several seconds to read the drives before it will record when first powered on. That delay could be costly if an important shot is missed; but overall it is as good as it gets for now.

I love it that its small and durable. I love the HD part, but the part I still need to practice is using the focus settings...I don't know if its me or the video camcorder itself that's not auto focusing when zooming in and out...I think that's mostly what I didn't really like about the camcorder. Other than that it's a really great camcorder to purchase. I love the 2 slot SD card as well...

This camcorder is not for the casual user who likes to upload videos to Facebook or any other social media due to its large file size. This camcorder is for those who want to achieve high quality videos or movies to be transferred to Blu-ray discs. This camcorder is very good in low light about 4 to 5 times better than a cheap 300-400 dollar camcorder. The quality of the picture is really full HD. There is no false advertising. This is a great camcorder regardless of experience. It allows full auto shooting and manual shooting. One other important feature is the fact that this camcorder has a build in 32gb hard drive, so there is no real need for sd cards unless you are planing on shooting for more than two hours (one Blu Ray Disc). The only flaw this has is the fact that it is not 3D ready. For the price the manufacturer could have added an extra sensor to support 3D videos. Overall a great camcorder for the price. The quality of the videos from this camcorder is very similar to that of videos taken with professional camcorders.

For the price range this camera is truly awesome and that's why I gave it 5 stars. For what it is, it's top notch. A lot of gear in these price ranges take you diving in and learning it to get the best out of it and this camcorder is no different. You can get some great family stuff and generally good video in auto mode if that's all you want it for, but learn manual video and exposure, learn the manual audio and experiment with the FPS and you'll love this bad boy for more professional looks. Low light situations are awesome, custom white balancing and 24fps look great. Use Edit Ready or a wrapping software to make sure the AVCHD 30p files import as progressive not interlaced into Final Cut Pro X. The mini shoe mount can be a pain, however you can buy available adapters for that. Get it.

I bought this camera to meet a professional need. (Video interviews, product shots and instructional videos). Some features I found useful: Able to take still shots while actively recording. Continuous filming from the internal storage to the twin SD slots. Multiple options for the storage of media. Some basic editing control built in. Lots of built-in filters. If used in studio, the ability to use an HDMI monitor instead of just the swing out LCD is great for composition. Definitely on the prosumer side of things. If you are just a recreational video person vacation videos and special events (kid's birthday and anniversaries), this may be a bit of overkill.

I purchased this video camera to take to the State Championship. The battery life is great. It's easy to use and the quality of pictures/videos is perfect! I haven't purchased a video camera for years since I just use my phone. My phone has definitely taken a back seat now =)

It's a little too early to provide complete feedback; but so far I am pleased with the purchase. I've only shot outdoor sports and the results have been high quality. For me, the jury is still out on this camera not supporting 60p, but I have not seen any significant issues shooting in 60i. The biggest plus for me has been the eye-piece. In really difficult sunlight, I have switched to eye-piece and it is invaluable. I will append this review once I have had more time to really flex the full features of this camera.

Very impressed with the quality of this camera. Easy to operate. I would recommend this camera if your looking for a professional looking video without the hefty price tag.